The Filipino grocery store FilStop, formerly called PhilAm, in Jersey City is opening another, much larger location in Clifton.

Catering to Filipino home cooks, FilStop sells hard-to-find food items from the Philippines like bottled bagoong, bihon, canton, misua, banana ketchup and lechon sauce. The 4,000-square-foot Jersey City location, which has no space for parking, has been open since 1973 and will remain in operation when the Clifton spot opens. Owner Erwin Santos, a Clifton resident, said the 16,000-square-foot Clifton location will expand the business significantly.

“We have such a great client base that would drive into Jersey City to visit us, but I could see the pain on their faces. It was a labor of love,” Santos said.

FilStop will open a new location in Clifton in March or April.(Photo11: Courtesy of FilStop)

The Clifton location is scheduled to open in March or April. Santos chose Clifton because it sits at the intersection of many major roads, so customers who drive from all over North Jersey will have easy access to the store.

“There are so many big Asian box stores that have opened, but what sets us apart is that a normal store carries about 100 items, where we carry 5,000 items. If a customer requests an item [from the Philippines], I’ll order it, even if it takes us a year to sell the rest of it.”

Santos wants to expand the offerings at FilStop to include Asian grocery items beyond those from the Philippines. The store will also offer a full menu of Filipino food, both made-to-order and pre-made cafeteria-style, in a space that has seating for more than 80 people.

“You’re going to see full-fledged cuisine of the Philippines: grilled fish, meat and everything,” Santos said. “We’ll have a big open kitchen where we’ll be preparing things. If you want a certain soup, we’ll make it for you fresh. We’re going to transport you back to the Philippines with traditional food and food with modern flare.”